Chinese Archbishops Makes 3 Requests at Ordination

Evangelization Congregation Secretary Visits Hong Kong, Taiwan

February 25, 2011
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HONG KONG, FEB. 25, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The newly appointed secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples prayed at his episcopal ordination for peace and the Church in China, he reported this week at his homecoming Mass in Hong Kong.

Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, a native of Hong Kong, said this Monday during a public Mass in the city where he grew up and served for decades as a priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The archbishop noted that St. John Bosco had advised that candidates to the priesthood may make three petitions to God, and that at his episcopal ordination, "I made three petitions."

The Salesian, who is the first Chinese to occupy a senior post in the Curia, was ordained to the episcopate Feb. 5 by Benedict XVI in the Vatican. He was named as secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in December.

"Before my ordination," he revealed, "I asked for the peace on earth, and the spread of Gospel in China."

His said his third petition was for three more petitions.

The archbishop then traveled on Wednesday to Taiwan, where he will make his first pastoral visit as secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. His visit is under way through Sunday.